Obituary for Thomas Proctor

THOMAS W. PROCTOR, 77, of Cass City, died following an extended illness at Northwood Meadows Friday, October 18, 2013 in Cass City. He was born May 5, 1936 in Howell, to William and Gladys (Wright) Proctor. He married Elaine Jean Burgess January 31, 1959 in North Congregational Church, Detroit.

Tom graduated from High School and attended Ferris State University receiving a bachelor's degree in pharmacy. He owned Old Wood Drug in Cass City for 33 years. Tom was an avid community leader and was honored with the Citizen of the Year Award in 1985. Tom was a member of the Cass City Chamber of Commerce, serving as president and treasurer of the retail division. He also served as chairman of the Cass City Centennial committee and the Fourth of July Festival Committee. Tom was president of Hills and Dales General Hospital Board. He was past chairman of United Way Fund Drive where he started the first payroll deduction system for area workers. As a Rotary Club member, Tom served as president, district governor, youth exchange committee chairman for Scandinavian countries, and was the international chairman for all Rotary Club Youth Exchange programs. The District fellow Rotarians designated him as a "Paul Harris Fellow" a national recognition. In 1972 he began the local Rotary Youth Exchange Program, bringing students from 17 foreign countries to the Cass City area. Together with his wife Elaine, they hosted 11 foreign exchange students. He was a member of the Cass City United Methodist Church and its men's choir, as well as a member of the Michigan Pharmacists Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association. Tom was also a member of the Tom Thumb Singers, past president of the Thumb Area Pharmacists Association, and member of the National Federation of Independent Businessmen.

Tom is survived by his wife, Elaine; children: Kurt (Sally) Proctor of Fairfax Station, VA, Kris (Nicholas) Lukacs of Brighton; grandchildren: Beau Proctor, Andrea Proctor, Jack Proctor, Carly Lukacs and Derek Lukacs; brother, Richard (Louise) Proctor of Fairfax, VA; sister, Arlene Garwood of South Lyon; 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother, Bertha Proctor; brother, William Proctor; sister, Maryelene Metz.
Memorial service held 12:00 noon, Saturday, October 26, 2013 in Cass City United Methodist Church with Rev. Jackie Roe officiating. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association Mid-Michigan Region, Cass City United Methodist Church, or the Rotary Foundation. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Northwood Meadows for their excellent care. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 11 to 12 noon, Saturday, October 26, 2013 in Cass City United Methodist Church